GRAND FORKS, N.D.--The Fighting Sioux football team, entering its final season of Division II competition, will report to fall camp on Thursday and will hit the field for the first practice of 2007 on Friday. In anticipation of UND's quest for a national championship, FightingSioux.com has a position-by-position preview of this year's Sioux team.
Quarterbacks
The season begins with a new quaterback at the helm. Junior Danny Freund enters the 2007 campaign as the team's starting quarterback after further establishing himself with a solid spring. The coaching staff is extremely pleased with Freund's progress and believes he has all of the tools to lead the offense.
Sophomore Ryan Konrath and freshman Jake Landry will continue to battle for the backup role. Sophomore Andrew Gudmunson returns from the baseball diamond to compete for playing time, while freshman Brock Setness returns to provide further depth.
Running Backs
Sophomore and Grand Forks native Ryan Chappell returns after a record-breaking freshman campaign in which he ran for 1,253 yards and 15 touchdowns, both UND records for a freshman.
Chappell's backfield partner may be junior Brandon Brady, who emerged as a short-yardage specialist last season and scored six touchdowns.
Sophomore Branden Dungy is coming off of a successful spring and freshman Steven Battle makes the move from defensive back to give the Sioux quality depth at running back.
With the loss of Trent Christensen to graduation, the fullback position will likely be filled by two quality players in senior Andrew Sorbo and sophomore Marcus Tibesar. Sorbo gained important starting experience last season while Tibesar looks to build on a solid spring season. He could also add depth at tight end.
Freshman Nick Safranski, who is rebounding from an injury, should provide added fullback depth.
Wide Receivers
UND's wide receivers are coming off of a strong collective 2006 season and the coaching staff is expecting big things again in 2007.
Leading the group is Harlon Hill Trophy candidate Weston Dressler, who has been a dynamic, impact player since stepping on the field as a true freshman in 2004. Last year Dressler caught a Division-II leading 90 passes for a school-record 1,217 yards and 16 touchdowns and is poised for another big year.
Sophomore Brady Trenbeath enjoyed a breakout year in 2006, setting UND rookie records with 60 catches and 753 receiving yards. He also hauled in four touchdown receptions.
Juniors Jake Caufield and Alex Nicholas will also vie for playing time. Caufield's sophomore season was cut short by an injury but he is expected to bounce back. Nicholas, meanwhile, gained valuable experience last year and will be a factor.
Providing depth and playmaking ability will be a group of underclassmen, including sophomores Kenley Wahlin, David Peterson and Kellen Leupp and freshman Ryan Dressler.
Tight Ends
The Sioux return a veteran group at the tight end position. Senior Troy Ott and junior Blair Grover split time at the position last season and both are expected to play a significant role again this season.
The athletic Grover led UND's tight ends with 18 catches for 221 yards and three touchdowns and his combination of strength and speed make him a viable threat as a receiver.
Ott offers great size at 6-foot-5, 270 pounds and will play a big role in the running game.
Sophomore Marcus Tibesar could also factor into the equation as a multiple threat at both fullback and tight end, while freshman Steve Kalwasinski will provide added depth to the position.
Offensive Line
Experience is what this unit brings to the Sioux offense and big things are expected in 2007. With four returning starters from a year ago, the coaching staff believes the offensive line could be the team's biggest strength on offense.
A pair of all-conference juniors, center Mitch Braegelmann and guard Brian Troen, will anchor the unit. Braegelmann stepped back into the starting lineup after missing the entire 2005 season due to an injury, while Troen was named to the All-NCC team for the second time in as many years.
There is also plenty of experience returning at the tackle spots, with seniors Brett Bauer and Andy Hoffelt returning to start on the left and right side, respectively. Bauer started all 13 games last season, while Hoffelt saw limited action after suffering an injury during the sixth game of the season.
The battle for the remaining starting spot will likely continue into fall camp. Seniors Nathan Johnston and Justin Muscha enter the season as the most experienced of the remaining linemen.
Sophomores David Koelln, Kyle Bondy and Zach Keller, along with freshmen Keith Queoff and Creighton Schroyer, will battle for playing time after solid spring performances.
Sophomore Pete Hiltner and freshman Ian Henderson both return after battling injuries during spring practice.
Defensive Line
UND's defensive line will include a mix of experienced veterans alongside players gaining their first taste of action.
Anchoring this year's unit is senior Alex Cadwell, a first-time starter who has been a mainstay within the defensive line rotation for the past three seasons. Cadwell provides experience to a young group and uses his combination of strength and speed to make big plays.
Link Gottbeheat, a sophomore, enters fall camp looking to push Cadwell for playing time. Gottbeheat gained valuable experience last year, showcasing his ability to rush the passer and defend the run.
Nick Farstveet, a promising sophomore, will enter fall camp in the mix for playing time and will be looked upon to produce.
Kyle Krusenstjerna and Michael Gowan, a pair of freshmen with bright futures, will provide depth at defensive end.
Junior Mike Ebanks is the newcomer to the program after transferring from Hibbing (Minn.) Community College. Ebanks, who had 15 quarterback sacks last season, is a physical player who has a great combination of size and quickness.
Sophomore Nate Wayne will replace 2006 NCC Most Valuable Defensive Lineman Adam Wolff at the starting nose guard position. Wayne gained valuable experience last season and will be looked upon to anchor the heart of the Sioux defense.
Providing depth behind Wolff will be sophomore Nick Nolte, will be pushed by freshmen Ty Boyle and Matt Bakke. All three combine excellent size and speed and each had solid spring seasons. Boyle could also see time at defensive end.
Juniors Jeff Richter and Ward DeMontigny will vie for the other starting end position opposite Cadwell. Both gained extensive playing time last season and will be looked upon to use their size and speed to make big plays.
Outside Linebackers
Sophomore Bobby Stroup returns after setting a UND freshman record with eight quarterbacks last season. He will enter his first season as the starting weak outside linebacker.
There is impressive depth behind Stroup on the weak side, led by juniors Matt Bodoh and Tyson Giles. Both are proven players with excellent speed and athleticsm.
Starting opposite Stroup on the strong side will be sophomore Noah Dombrovski, a player the coaching staff believes has all-conference potential. Fellow sophomore Jeff Tescher will push Dombrovski after gaining valuable game experience last season as UND's long snapper.
Also pushing for playing time will be athletic freshman Ross Cochran and junior college transfer Ryan Pollow.
Inside Linebackers
UND's strong tradition of inside linebackers will continue this year with the emergence of several new faces.
Senior Robbie Meek will anchor the unit in his first season as the starting “Will” linebacker. A key reserve the past three seasons, Meek is set to enjoy a strong senior campaign.
Sophomore Andrew Miller, a smart, physical player who had a great spring, will back up Meek. Freshman Ryan Kasowski is coming off of a spring where he showed a knack for making big plays and will provide depth.
Junior Brett Holinka is charged with replacing longtime standout Dan Ullsperger at the “Sam” linebacker slot. Holinka solidified a starting spot this spring after emerging as a key reserve and special teams contributor last season.
Holinka will be pushed by senior Tyler Morrow, a big, physical player who showed great promise down the stretch in 2006.
Paul German and Curtis Dublanko, both redshirt freshmen coming off of an impressive spring, showed great knowledge and playmaking abilities and will provide depth.
Secondary
With three of four starters lost to graduation, new faces will dot the secondary in 2007. The lone returning starter is cornerback Donovan Alexander, a three-year starter and the 23rd overall pick in the 2007 CFL Draft who has been a cornerstone in a secondary that consistently ranks among the top 15 in the nation in pass efficiency defense.
Junior Drake Otto won the other corner spot opposite Alexander with his consistent play during spring practice, but he will be challenged by the return of senior Tyler Weigelt. Weigelt was slowed by injury during the spring but is expected to be at full strength in time for fall camp.
Junior Brandon Jordan showed flashes of greatness during the spring but needs to develop more consistency to garner more playing time. Freshman Carl Hanson continues to develop after moving from safety to corner this spring.
No starters return at the safety positions, but junior Rory Manke certainly made the most of his playing time last year in a reserve role, leading the team in interceptions with five. His playmaking ability will be counted on again, this time in his first year as the starting free safety.
Sophomore Tyson Heiser, who made many plays during the spring, will back up Manke.
Joining Manke in the starting lineup is another first-year starter, strong safety Derek Malner, who coaches say earned his position with his knack for big hits and playmaking ability.
Freshman Joel Schwenzfeier and sophomore Clayton Leith are expected to push Malner for playing time.
Transfer Bryson Janecek is continuing to learn the defense and should provide necessary depth.
Special Teams
With the return of a pair of All-NCC performers, UND boasts arguably the most talented and most stable kicking situation in the conference.
Senior Brent Halfmann has earned all-conference honors in each of his three seasons, including a first-team selection as a sophomore. A 2005 all-region performer, Halfman landed 13 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line and enjoyed three games in which he averaged at least 40 yards per punt.
Sophomore kicker Brandon Hellevang established himself as one of the nation's top kickers as a freshman and will build on that early success as a sophomore. Hellevang went 12-for-15 (80.0%) on field goals over the final 10 games of the season, kicked two crucial game-winning field goals on the road and was named UND's Most Valuable Special Teams Player.
In Dressler and Chappell, UND has the luxury of choosing between two of the most explosive return specialists in the nation. Dressler has scored a school-record four return touchdowns (three on punts) and has more than 2,500 career return yards to his credit, while Chappell merely averaged 32.7 yards on three punt returns and 27 yards on 11 kick returns as a freshman last season.
